With two next-generation battery-powered fashions ready within the wings, 2022 is the yr BMW is bringing the competitors to Tesla.
The electrical iX midsize crossover and i4 four-door fastback fill an SUV-sized gap within the model’s lineup, BMW Nationwide Supplier Discussion board Chairman David Sloane informed Automotive Information.
BMW’s new autos could not come too quickly because the German luxurious model barely outhustled Tesla to retain the U.S. luxurious gross sales crown final yr.
Tesla has surged into a world electrical car powerhouse, with trendy, high-performance autos. Primarily based on Experian knowledge, Tesla registered 342,412 autos in 2021 — simply 5,041 shy of BMW’s registrations throughout that interval.
And momentum is perhaps on the upstart’s aspect. Tesla registrations final yr soared 71 p.c over 2020, whereas BMW’s grew 24 p.c yr over yr.
However Sloane is hopeful the EVs on the best way will assist BMW finish the 2022 gross sales race with a extra commanding lead.
BMW final fall started European deliveries of its iX and i4, which supply an estimated EPA vary of 300-plus miles.
“These are the primary vehicles we now have to compete with Tesla and different all-electric manufacturers,” stated Sloane, president of Sloane Automotive Group in suburban Philadelphia. “BMW has listened to its sellers who’ve requested for long-range, competitively priced fashions.”
The BMW pipeline guarantees extra merchandise because the automaker seeks to promote 200,000 EVs globally this yr — doubling the quantity it delivered final yr.
